Man Leaves 11-Year Career in Finance to Pursue Passion for Surreal Wood Carving

For Emin Asgarov, woodcarving began as a deeply rooted dream. He admired the craft throughout his childhood but pursued a career in economics, working as a financial analyst for eleven years while (literally) carving out time to experiment with the creative hobby after hours. Just a few years ago, he finally decided to pursue the pastime as a full-time profession, and he now creates abstract wooden sculptures that reflect the careful touch of his practiced, passionate hand.

Asgarov completes most of his pieces at his small workshop in Baku, Azerbaijan. They require somewhere between 2 and 12 hours to carve using knives and chisels before they’re sanded and infused with linseed oil and beeswax. This removes the oxygen from the wood to permanently preserve it while also accentuating the inherently elegant textures and patterns in the grain. While honoring the material, Asgarov also cites a variety of other inspirations, including nature, traditions and cultures around the world, and love.

The artist says he imparts “a piece of my soul” into every sculpture, so it’s sometimes difficult to part with his work. Rich with history and dedication, each carving requires a “true owner” to treasure it accordingly. You can purchase your personally suited masterpiece in his Etsy shop.